Source : Department of Public Relations
October 23, 2026
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) William Agyapong, paid a courtesy visit to 84-year-old veteran Ex-Warrant Officer Class I (WOI) Nkwantabisah Francis on Thursday, 22 October 2026, at his residence in Tema.
The visit was to recognise WOI Nkwantabisah’s dedicated and selfless service to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and to acknowledge the invaluable mentorship, support, and encouragement he offered Lt Gen Agyapong during his formative years as a young officer.
The CDS expressed profound gratitude to the Ex-WOI for his wise counsel and guidance, which he noted significantly contributed to his professional development and military career. He commended Ex-WOI Nkwantabisah for his commitment to duty and his positive influence on the lives and careers of the personnel under his tutelage as a physical training instructor.
The veteran, in the company of his friends Ex-WOI Habada Godwin, Ex-WOI Gameli King and Ex Staff Sergeant Amadotor Philip, conveyed his appreciation to the CDS for the visit, describing it as a meaningful gesture of honour and recognition.
In a warm and engaging atmosphere, they recounted past experiences, shared fond memories, and offered insightful reflections on military service. Their conversation delved into historical accounts of the evolution of the GAF, tracing back to the days of the Boys Company and the establishment of various units, particularly the 1st and 3rd Infantry Battalions.
Lt Gen Agyapong used the opportunity to inform the Ex-WOI of the upcoming Inaugural Memorial Day Celebrations scheduled for April 2027. He noted that the planning committee would soon visit him to draw from his rich institutional knowledge, experience, and perspectives. This input will help document the history and exploits of the GAF, particularly regarding peacekeeping operations in Sinai, Cambodia, Rwanda, and Congo.
The CDS also notified Ex-WOI Nkwantabisah of the establishment of a GAF Memorial Park and Museum, which aims to preserve institutional history and traditions. Furthermore, he reached out to retired personnel, urging them to share their experiences, knowledge, and expertise with serving personnel to preserve military traditions and strengthen ties between serving and retired members of the Armed Forces.
At the end of the visit, groceries and an undisclosed sum of money were presented to Ex-WOI Nkwantabisah as a token of goodwill and appreciation for his service to the nation.
The CDS and his entourage, including the Forces Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Zakaria Alhassan, departed after wishing Ex-WOI Nkwantabisah good health, long life, and God’s continued blessings in retirement. For his part, the veteran thanked Lt Gen Agyapong for remembering him and taking the time to visit his residence decades after his exit from the GAF.
